As Fort Vancouver’s student section celebrated a home playoff victory Wednesday with the Trappers’ boys basketball team, Liam Cvitkovich soaked in a moment he’s waited four years to experience.  “It’s so special,” Cvitkovich said. “I love these guys on the team. I’ve known some of them forever, so it’s special to come here and finally win one year with them.” Win all season, and win in the postseason, too. Wednesday’s 68-55 victory over Elma to open 1A district tournament play puts the Trappers (16-6 overall) in a position the program hasn’t seen in years: on the cusp of a state berth.  And, Fort has a chance to clinch a state berth at home. King’s Way Christian’s upset of 1A Evergreen League champion Montesano in its first-round game means the Trappers host the Knights in an all-Trico winner-to-state district semifinal game Feb. 19. 

The playoffs are a new experience for Cvitkovich, a four-year varsity player, and the Trappers. Prior to this season’s 16-6 record and runner-up finish in the 1A Trico League, the Trappers went 1-18, 2-19 and 5-16 the past three seasons in Class 2A. But this school year is Fort’s first as a full-fledged 1A Trico member in all sports. Last January, the school won its appeal to drop to 1A through 2028 after adjusted classification figures pegged the Trappers at 2A. Prior to that, the school successfully petitioned down one classification in football in 2020. Now, the Trappers are a win away from state and achieving another milestone. A 17th victory would tie the 2007-08 Trappers for most victories over the past 40 seasons.  First-year coach James Jones knows that team well, too. He was a senior guard for the Scott Thompson-coached Trappers that went 17-8 and reached 3A bi-districts. Jones said Wednesday’s crowd and energy for a playoff game rivaled a Fort Vancouver-Hudson’s Bay regular-season tilt, but the atmosphere Wednesday against the Eagles reached another level over the final 5 minutes.  Fort led by as many as 12 twice in the third quarter, but a quick 7-0 run by Elma to start the final quarter pulled the Eagles to within 55-51 with 5:35 to play. While Fort never relinquished its lead, its defense came up clutch down the stretch when Elma (13-8) cut the lead to five twice over the final 4 minutes. 

Fort forced Elma turnovers on consecutive possessions and free throws by Leighton Livengood (17 points) and a steal and layin by Isaiah Gonzalez pushed the lead to 64-53 inside 2 minutes to play.  Fort began the season with four consecutive wins, then won 10 of 11 from Dec. 30 through Jan. 31. As wins piled up, players said community support grew at home games. Wednesday, the Trappers said they fed off the playoff energy and the energy.  “We brought the school back to life,” said Josiah Jointer, who had a team-best 19 points.  Prior to being named head coach last spring, Jones served as an assistant under former coach James Ensley. The 16 wins to date is an 11-win improvement from last season, and Jones praised how far his team has grown since November. He described them as a unit.

“Seeing the guys come together as much as they have, that’s the biggest blessing,” the coach said. “They inspire me.” — FORT VANCOUVER 68, ELMA 55 ELMA — Traden Carter 19, Tanner Moe 4, Isaac McGaffey 20, Theodore Flores 6, Armani Phan 2, Cole Niemi 4. Totals 20 (4) 8-10 55. FORT VANCOUVER — Liam Cvitakovich 5, Samuel Howard 2, Isaiah Barajas 12, Isaiah Gonzalez 9, Josiah Joiner 17, Allen Salazar 2, Kenan Sabanovic 2, Leighton Livengood 14. Totals 26 (11) 13-18 68. Elma 20 6 18 11 – 55 Fort 26 11 18 13 – 68